If she died, it would all end, and there would be no more nightmares.

Yet, the expected blow never landed.

Tentatively, Hadley opened her eyes to a sight she would remember forever.

Lilah had seized Ruth's arm, her gaze cold and steady. Ruth, seething with anger, struggled to break free, but Lilah's grip was unyielding.

More gratitude swelled in Hadley's heart, and all these emotions overflowed as tears.

“Had enough, Ruth?" Lilah flicked Ruth's hand, causing her to be propelled backward like a kite whose string had snapped. Ruth collided heavily with the wall before slumping to the floor, disheveled and shaken.

Ruth let out a dull whimper, and the two women in black rushed to help her up.

“Idiots, get them!" she snarled, gritting her teeth.

The women in black got the hint and charged at Lilah, one from the left and the other from the right.

“Lilah, run!" Hadley was so terrified that she couldn't even muster tears.

Lilah grinned and remarked, "Sweetheart, escaping isn't something I entertain."

After saying that, she effortlessly sidestepped to evade a heavy punch from a woman in black, followed by a graceful spinning kick that sent the other woman tumbling to the floor.

She appeared less like a fighter and more like someone administering a one-sided beating.

Hadley's eyes widened in shock.

“Lilah, you are amazing!" she murmured, momentarily forgetting the pain on her face.

Suddenly, Ruth seized Hadley with an iron grip around her neck, nearly choking her out.

"Stop!" Ruth hissed through clenched teeth. "Or I'll kill her right now."

She had lost it, consumed by thoughts of vengeance, unable to endure the humiliation Lilah had caused.

Predictably, Lilah surrendered.

The two women in black seized the chance to retreat, racing back to Ruth's side.

“Ruth, don't push it!" came Lilah's icy retort, hands slipping discreetly behind her back.

"Push it? You're no saint yourself. This traitor was my follower until you showed up! How could I let that slide?"

Ruth ground her teeth, eyes fixated on Lilah as if she could tear her apart.

Hadley looked utterly terrified, her face drained of color.